Portable tablet dispensing unit



Jan. 3, 1950' A. BURNS 2,493,616

PORTABLE TABLET DISPENSING UNIT Filed 001;. 30, 1946 =Fiqzl /a' 4 IN VEN TOR.

flZexancZer Burns Patented Jan. 3, 1950 UNIT ED PATEN T O F'F ICE 393,618 7 PORTABIZE. DISPENSING. I Alexanderfiurhs,. New &ork, n iiiitati flotaiiist, 1948; serial No. 7062631 mm. (01. 20 -42)- 1 This invention-relatesto a container for medicinal tablets and more particularly to a device of the type that is adapted to be carried on the person of an individual.

The principal objective Eif'my invention-waste design such a container that couldbe used for the n iandidi ns ne of tabletsq various shapes and sizes. The use of my device obviates the necessity of a person touching the ab ts with hishands which; ofitselfgcanbe harmniit a certain extent when the hands are moist or unclean.

Another advantage of my device is that it is sturdily constructed of unbreakable material that will afford the tablets the maximum amount of protection from breakage and moisture. Also, there will be no danger of the container breaking which would be a possibility if it came in contact with a hard object while in a purse being carried by an individual or while in a pocket of the wearer's apparel.

A further feature of my device provides for the dispensing of a tablet while the remaining tablets in the container remain completely covered.

Another feature of my device provides a looking unit that prevents operation of the dispenser when the supply of tablets has been exhausted and at the same time provision is made in the form of an additional tube in order that a reserve supply of tablets may be carried.

Today with the large portion of the people taking vitamin pills, my device offers a convenient and compact method for carrying these tablets on the person.

Further advantages and unique features of my device will be apparent as I proceed with the description.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a cross section view on line l--l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows an end elevation.

Figure 3 shows a plan elevation.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view.

Figure 1 illustrates a cross section view of my tablet dispensing unit In which is composed of a body portion II and a sliding cover 18. Formed out of the body II are two circular tubes l2 and I3. Tube [3 is shorter in length than tube [2 and carries a reserve supply of tablets 28. Tube [3 is closed at one end with the opposite end being equipped with a threaded cap I5 which is screwed into the body H.

The dispensing tube i2 is somewhat larger than the reserve tube l3 and consequently holds a larger supply of tablets. The bottom end of the dispensing tube I2 is also sealed'b'y a threadedcap- While the dispensing end of this tube opens into a: pocket l9.inthe-slidingcover18.

Attached to the inner sideof cap spring l6 which furnishes the necessary forcetd move the tablets 28 toward the upper ordispensingend-cfthe tube I2.. Attached to the upper portionofithespring I6, is a plug l'lswhich iscircue lar inform and slightly smaller in diameter than. hatube; I2 and performsseveral functions. It furnishes; a .smQQth, protective surface on which thatablets 28 rest: and; also. fills. .up'. thepqckettl-fi: in the cover l8 when the last tablet has been dispensed and in this manner acts as a locking device in that under such circumstances it prevents any movement of the sliding cover I8.

The sliding cover I8 is equipped with a pocket l9 which is positioned directly above the dispensing tube 12 when the cover is in its normal or closed position. The pocket 19 will be approximately the same size or slightly larger than the tablets being used as it is contemplated to manufacture this device in various sizes to handle tablets of varying sizes and shapes.

The opposite end of the cover I8 has a downward extended portion 29 which is substantially semi-circular in shape and which portion covers the groove 22 in which is positioned a return spring 2|. The function of the spring 2| is to return the cover to its normal position after a tablet has been dispensed. Securing the cover 18 to the body portion II, are two pins 20 and 23 which terminate in reduced areas 24 and 25 respectively that are anchored in the body portion H. The pins 20 and 23 extend up and through slots 26 and 21 which are near the edges of the cover l8 and extend along the long sides of the cover which is rectangular in shape.

The heads of the pins 20 and 23 are larger in diameter than the width of the slots 25 and 21 and the movement of the cover is guided and controlled by these pins. When the cover is moved to dispense a tablet, the extent of its movement is controlled by the end of the slots which contact the pins and also the spring 2| which is compressed when the cover is operated.

To prepare the unit It] for operation, both tubes l2 and [3 are filled with tablets 2B and the caps l4 and I5 are screwed into place. The spring IE will force a tablet 28 into the pocket l9 and the unit is ready to dispense tablets. By sliding the cover I 8 toward the dispensing tube I2, the pocket l9 will be exposed and the tablet will fall into the users hand or glass as desired.

It: is a feed .When the finger pressure has been released from the sliding cover, the spring 2| which has been compressed by movement of the cover [8, will return the cover back to its original position. This will enable the spring 16 to force another tablet into the pocket l9 and the unit is prepared for another operation. When the supply of tablets has been exhausted in tube I 2, the plug I! will be forced in the pocket 19. As the plug I1 is of a greater height than the tablets, it will not only fill up the pocket but a portion will also remain in the tube l2 preventing the movement of the cover 3.

When this locking device takes efiect, it will indicate to the operator that the supply of tablets has been exhausted and must be replenished from the reserve in tube l3. r I

In its preferred form, it is contemplated to manufacture this unit utilizing plastic, however, metal or other suitable materials may be used.

Whereas I have described my invention in its preferred form, it is realized that minor changes may be made without departing from the prin cipal scope of the invention.

I claim:

A tablet dispensing device of the type'des'cribed including a body portion and a sliding cover, said cover attached to the body through pins which i have one end anchored in the body and opposite ends extending through guide slots in the cover,

two elongated holes: formed in said body to "prof vide a storage tube and a dispensing tube, said storage tube being sealed at one end and being equipped at the opposite end with a threaded cap, said dispensing tube having an open dispensing 5 end adapted to be closed by the sliding cover, the cover being equipped with a pocket positioned directly above the dispensing tube, opposite end of the dispensing tube being equipped with a threaded cap, spring means positioned in said 10 dispensing tube, said means including a spring I which is attached at one end to the threaded cap and the opposite end being attached to a plug on which the tablets are placed, said spring means being adapted to force a tablet into said pocket in the cover, said cover capable of being slidably operated to expose said pocket and thereby to dispense the tablet, said cover being equipped with spring means to return the cover to closed position after the said dispensing operation.

7 ALEXANDER BURNS.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 977,583 Beardsley Dec. 6, 1910 0 2,245,066 Bouchard June 10, 1941 

